Groundbreaking report on quality of life for LGBTQ New Yorkers over 50

A report commissioned by SAGE and AARP uncovers some startling inequities in housing, health, finances among elder LGBTQ folks.

LGBTQ New Yorkers age 50+ face steeper barriers to healthcare, higher rates of poverty, and greater challenges to their economic security than their non-LGBTQ counterparts, and the COVID-19 crisis has only exacerbated these disparities, according to new groundbreaking research released today. Disrupting Disparities: Solutions for LGBTQ New Yorkers Age 50+, commissioned by AARP New York and SAGE with support from the AARP Foundation, was unveiled by the leaders of the organizations, who were joined by the chairs of the State Legislature’s Aging Committees, Senator Rachel May and Assemblyman Ron Kim; Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried; and other key state lawmakers.

The first-of-its-kind report found:

• 23% of LGBTQ New Yorkers of all ages cite inadequate insurance coverage as the most significant barrier to healthcare;
• One-third of LGBTQ 50+ live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, compared to a quarter of non-LGBTQ people;
• 21% of LGBTQ 50+ have provided care to friends – three and a half times the 6% of non-LGBTQ peers. 

“This is unacceptable,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “We are calling on state lawmakers to address this right now. It’s even worse for LGTBQ people of color and transgender older people. And the pandemic has only exacerbated these disparities.”

While nearly one-third of LGBTQ New Yorkers are over the age of 50, this rapidly growing elder population remains largely invisible and faces disparities rooted in years of discrimination, lack of legal and social recognition, reduced access to inclusive services, and more. After decades of admirable resilience, LGBTQ older people are still facing negative health, economic, and social implications that demand action.

“In New York, LGBTQ adults 50 and older, especially those of color, face unique challenges as they age, leading to widespread disparities in their health, economic security, caregiving, housing, and social connections,” said Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of AARP Foundation. “These challenges have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though we’ve made significant progress in tackling these problems since we launched ‘Disrupt Disparities’ in 2018, we must do more to level the playing field so that all LGBTQ New Yorkers can live healthy, financially secure, socially connected lives and thrive as they age.”

“For decades, SAGE has seen the realities of this report first-hand. While we have certainly made progress since Stonewall, LGBTQ elders can’t afford to keep waiting for vital policies to protect their rights and promote their well-being,” said Michael Adams, SAGE CEO. “We’re thrilled that SAGE’s partnership with AARP New York brings the full weight of the country’s most influential advocate for older Americans to the public policy table on behalf of LGBTQ elders.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the unconscionable health and financial disparities that are made more difficult by the racial identity, sexual orientation, and gender identity of older New Yorkers,” said Nii-Quartelai Quartey, Ed.D., AARP Senior Advisor & National LGBT Liaison. “The action steps taken by local, state, and federal leaders from New York have the potential to offer the nation examples to narrow some of the most persistent disparities based on the lived experience of LGBTQ older adults on the margins in our communities.”

WHAT CAN BE DONE

SAGE, AARP New York and other advocates will be pushing for the following solutions outlined in the report:

• Have New York State formally designate LGBTQ older people and those living with HIV as groups of “greatest social need” under the federal Older Americans Act – as California, Massachusetts and Illinois have done – to drive greater aid for senior services to those populations.
• Ensure families of choice fall under the definition of family in New York State laws and policies.
• Include non-biological individuals and domestic partners under the definition of caregiver, along with spouses and biological relatives, as part of a new comprehensive caregiving state law.
• Explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression in the New York State Office for the Aging’s equal access guidance and provide additional guidance on the respectful treatment of transgender New Yorkers.
• Adopt an LGBTQ long-term care residents’ bill of rights.
• Establish an independent Long-Term Care Task Force to examine the state of long-term care and the broader long-term care system.
• Mandate a minimum level of LGBTQ cultural competency training for state-funded providers from organizations with expertise in LGBTQ aging.  
• Expand LGBTQ programming and targeted outreach to LGBTQ older people to ensure that existing programming is LGBTQ-competent.
• Establish a statewide standing Commission on LGBTQ Aging to identify challenges, share best practices, and develop recommendations on ways to improve quality of life.

MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS

About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connections. As AARP’s charitable affiliate, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Bolstered by vigorous legal advocacy, we spark bold, innovative solutions that foster resilience, strengthen communities and restore hope. To learn more, visit www.aarpfoundation.org or follow @AARPFoundation on social media.

About SAGE
SAGE is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers. SAGE also advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBT elders, provides education and technical assistance for aging providers and LGBT community organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, and cultural competency training through SAGECare. With staff located across the country, SAGE also coordinates SAGENet, a growing network of affiliates in the United States. Learn more at sageusa.org.